Desert Warrior, an epic action feature set in 7th century Arabia and filmed in Saudi Arabia, will have its world premiere at the Zurich Film Festival on 28 September, announced MBC in a press release shared with Saudi Streets. Produced by MBC Studios and JB Pictures, the gala screening will be attended by members of the cast and crew.
The film features an ensemble cast led by Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, and Academy Award winner Sir Ben Kingsley. Joining them are Sharlto Copley (District 9), Ghassan Massoud (Kingdom of Heaven), Sami Bouajila (Hors-la-loi), Lamis Ammar (Sand Storm), and Géza Röhrig (Son of Saul).
British filmmaker Rupert Wyatt, known for Rise of the Planet of the Apes and The Mosquito Coast, directed the feature. The screenplay was co-written by Wyatt, Erica Beeney (Captive State), and David Self (The Road to Perdition). Production was led by Jeremy Bolt of JB Pictures, best known for the Resident Evil franchise.
Set in 7th century Arabia, the film tells the story of Princess Hind (played by Aiysha Hart), who defies the powerful Sassanid Empire and escapes into the desert with her father, King Numan (Ghassan Massoud).
Pursued by Emperor Kisra’s (Ben Kingsley) mercenaries, Hind must ally with a mysterious bandit (Anthony Mackie) to rally fractured tribes in a battle that will alter the course of Arabian history.
Filmed in NEOM and Tabuk
Desert Warrior was shot across Saudi Arabia’s NEOM and Tabuk regions, highlighting the Kingdom’s growing role as a major film production hub.
The Saudi Film Commission supported the project through its Cash Rebate Program, designed to attract both international and local productions. The Quality of Life Program also contributed to the film’s development, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to invest in entertainment and the creative industries.
AGC International, the sales and distribution arm of AGC Studios, is handling worldwide sales of the film. The Zurich Film Festival premiere marks the beginning of Desert Warrior’s international rollout, where it is expected to draw global attention not only for its high-profile cast but also as a milestone in Saudi Arabia’s emerging film industry.
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